Snap seal fastener



.March 27, 1951 5. HURT 2,546,542

SNAP SEAL FASTENER Filed 001:. 20, 1947 Fig.2.

Fig. 4

/8 will! /6 Mil Fig. 5.

George C. Hurt Inventor Patented Mar. 27, 1951 UNITED STATES FA'EENTOFFICE SNAP SEAL FASTENER George C. Hurt, Warrenton, Oreg.

Application October 20, 1947, Serial No. 780,816

2 Claims.

This invention relates to novel and useful improvements in envelopesparticularly those conventionally used in the mails.

The general object of this invention is to seal a body portion and flapof an envelope by mechanical means obviating the use of glue and thelike.

Another purpose of this invention is to provide receptacle means on theflap engageable with complemental locking means partially projectingWithin the envelope.

Another purpose of this invention is to provide the receptacle means ofsuch configuration as to import guide means for urging selected legs ofthe locking means in the closed, latched posi tion.

Another purpose of this invention is to provide a device of the natureto be described which is extremely simple to actuate, thereby renderingutility of the present invention economical from a time standpoint.

Ancillary objects and features of novelty including commercialfeasibility, will become apparent to those skilled in the art infollowing the description of the preferred embodiment of the presentinvention, illustrated in the accompanying drawing, wherein:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the preferred form of the presentinvention;

Figure 2 is an enlarged sectional View of the clamp in one phase ofoperation;

Figure 3 is an elevational end view of the bendable locking meanspositioned on the flap of the envelope;

Figure 4 is a perspective View of the receptacle positioned mostlywithin the envelope and provided for the purpose of receiving thebendable locking means therein, and;

Figure 5 is a perspective view of the locking means shown in a flat oropen position, prior to installation on the flap of the envelope.

Referring now in detail to the illustrated preferred embodiment of thepresent invention, like reference characters are used throughout toindicate similar elements thereof.

This invention has been developed to provide an embodiment which iscapable of rendering the task of sealing envelopes far more desirable,expedient and easy. As is Well known to those having the task of sealingnumerous envelopes throughout many hours of the day, the operation ofeither licking or sponging the mucilage on the envelope becomes ratherdifiicult. In this invention, the only requisite for sealing an envelopeefficiently is simply squeeze the flap in the proper position and thejob is completed. In carrying out this function, the following structureis provided.

An envelope is provided with a body portion it and a conventional flapi2. Complemental portions of the locking means are provided on the bodyportion Iii and flap, respectively.

Going to Figure 4, the receptacle which is received on the body portionis shown in detail. Here, a receptacle it having a concave inner surfaceis provided with a marginal flange it therearound. Extending from thismarginal flange is a plurality of lugs it.

Going now to Figure 2, it will be noted that the said lugs it arebendable about their inception points for the purpose of retaining infrictional engagement therewith, the body portion It. Of course, asuitable hole may be punched in the said body portion prior to theinsertion of the receptacle id in order to facilitate manufacture of theinvention. It is also noted that the majority of the said receptacle i4is received entirely within the said envelope.

Going now to Figures 3 and 5, there is disclosed a locking means whichhas the preferable configuration as follows: A rounded central section28 is provided with a plurality of prongs 22 extending therefrom in aradial manner. Also extending from the said rounded central portion 2i!is a pair of oppositely aligned prongs 24 and 26, respectively. Theseprongs 2e and 26 are bent first 180 thence in the opposite direction..The next bend is preferably about in the same direction as the 90 bend,This last mentioned bend provides extensions 28 and 30 on the saidprongs 2e and 25, respectively. These last mentioned prongs 2d and 25are adapted to extend in the receptacle is and be bent therein. Theinner concave surface of the receptacle i4 assists in bending as well asguiding the said prongs in the said receptacle. The members 22 are bentat substantially 90 as shown in Figure 3 for the purpose of insertingthe same in the flap 12 of the envelope. After insertion, these members22 may be bent back again in the original position or if desired, bentat an angle of substantially to the original position disclosed inFigure 5.

In operation of the invention it will be noted that the preferentialmaterial of construction is bendable and pliable. Accordingly, afterinsertion of the said legs or prongs 2d and 26, respectively, into thereceptacle i l, the entire assemblage of locking means may be squeezedtogether to any desired thickness. This, of course, renders utility ofthe invention extremely rapid since all that is necessary to effect aseal between the flap and body portion is simply place the complementallocking means together and flatten the same by a simple press of thefinger. Further, assurance against unauthorized inspection of thecontents of the envelope is provided since substantially the only methodof entry to the envelope is by tearing the flap or other associatedmarginal edge of the envelope.

It will be noted that there is illustrated an embodiment of theinvention disclosing only one set of complemental locking means.However, if desired, any number may be utilized on a single envelope inaccordance with the dictates of sound engineering or design principles.Further, the locking means are so placed as not to interfere with theefficient operation of mechanical envelope opening devices.

Due to the extreme simplicity achieved by the present invention, afurther description thereof is deemed unnecessary. However, it isapparent that various departures might be made herein without departingfrom the spirit of the invention. Accordingly, limitation is sought onlyin accordance with the scope of the following claims.

Having described the claimed as new is:

1. An envelope including a body portion having a flap secured thereto, areceptacle secured to said portion and bendable locking means secured tosaid flap lockingly engageable with said receptacle, said receptaclehaving a concave wall and a marginal flange extending therearoundinvention, What is said marginal flange having an opening to receivesaid locking means, bendable lugs extending from said flange andcooperating therewith to frictionally engage said body portion, saidbendable lugs being substantially U-shaped, one of the legs of each ofsaid U-shaped lugs being a portion of said flange and the other legbeing substantially parallel thereto, terminating inwardly of the outeredge of said receptacle.

2. An envelope including a body portion having a flap secured thereto, areceptacle secured to said portion and bendable locking means secured tosaid fiap engageable with an opening in said receptacle, said lockingmeans including a base, means for securing said base to said flap,prongs having angular extensions projecting and bendable within saidreceptacle, said receptacle having a concave wall for guiding saidprongs, a marginal flange around said wall with said opening therein,bendable lugs remote from said concave wall extending from said flangeat the edge of said opening for lockingly engaging said body portion.

GEORGE C. HURT.

REFERENCES s ren The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 411,045 Miller Sept. 17, 18891,095,562 Dunmyer May 5, 1914 1,836,459 Fitzgerald Dec. 15, 19311,945,965 Behrman Feb. 6, 1934

